This year group of Syntax students have come together and decided to raise money for the Duck Push Fund by producing some very nice Clongowes labelled wine…
For more than twenty two years the Transition Year students in Clongowes Wood College have made raising money to buy a piece of life saving equipment for Crumlin Children’s Hospital an annual goal. Over €1.5million has been raised to date and equipment purchased has ranged from portable ultra sound machines to equipment that helps diagnose cancer patients more quickly.
At the end of each year, the students of Transition Year push a Duck from Crumlin to Limerick collecting and raising money on their way. During the year, students of Transition Year also construct mini companies and put together events which are worthy in themselves while all monies made in the process go towards The Duck Push. Our contribution (Jonathan Farrington, Ronan Molony, Jason Smith, Luke MacQuillan and Tom McGrath) is our Clongowes Labelled Wine Project.
We came up with the idea of producing Clongowes labelled wine when we researched about previous Duck Push projects. We saw that it had been done more than once in the past and had been a huge success every time. We realised it had been quite a while since the last time it had been done so we decided that we would do some market research to see if there was still an interest. Feedback was positive so we decided to see if we could source a product worthy of the label. Clongowes labelled wines have not – according to living memory – disappointed and we were not going to fall short of the mark in 2016!
We are glad to report that our group has, with some help, sourced a very good quality Chilean Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc with reliable grape blends. Parents, members of staff and the wider Clongowes Community including alumni have given these wines their approval and orders are healthy. The Merlot is a deep ruby red in colour with aromas of black cherry and plum, displaying further complexity on the palate with hints of dark chocolate. It is medium bodied and well balanced with a rich, pleasing finish.
The Sauvignon blanc is pale lemon in colour with aromas of fresh grapefruit and lime. It also has lively flavours of green gooseberry and ripe mellon with a fresh acidity and crisp finish. Both bottles carry a beautifully designed label featuring the College crest and a vintage photograph of the Castle taken from the main avenue. Whether as a special gift for someone, as a way of marking what has been a special year in the life of the country, or as simply a welcome accompaniment to Sunday lunch these wines surpass expectations.
Both are available at €14.00 a bottle, €28.00 for a wooden presentation box of two and €65.00 for a wooden case of six bottles.
If you wish to order some of our wine please email your name, contact telephone number and the quantity you would like in red and / or white to Clongoweswine@gmail.com. We will get it to you. Remember all proceeds go directly to The Duck Push charitable fund.
Jonathan Farrington, Ronan Molony, Jason Smith, Luke MacQuillan and Tom McGrath.
